Acid Reflux... and Cancer?

The most significant complication of acid reflux disease is esophageal cancer. About 10 percent of patients with acid reflux develop Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal esophagus lining transforms to the normal stomach lining as a result of long-term acid exposure. Over time, approximately 10 percent of patients with Barrett's esophagus go on to develop esophageal cancer. Once Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed, patients are placed into a surveillance endoscopy program. By undergoing endoscopies on a regular basis, if Barrett's begins to progress to dysplasia, intervention can be performed through the endoscope to prevent the development of cancer.